1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to environmental site redevelopment; |
3 | amending s. 376.30715, F.S.; defining the term "acquired"; |
4 | providing for financial assistance in certain additional |
5 | circumstances involving the transfer of a contaminated |
6 | property; s. 220.1845, F.S.; revising requirements for |
7 | site rehabilitation tax credits; expanding eligibility for |
8 | site rehabilitation tax credits; providing for application |
9 | to brownfield site redevelopment solid waste removal |
10 | costs; providing requirements and limitations; providing |
11 | definitions; providing for application to construction and |
12 | operation of new health care facilities or health care |
13 | providers on brownfield sites; providing requirements; |
14 | amending s. 376.30781, F.S.; revising provisions providing |
15 | tax credits for rehabilitation of certain contaminated |
16 | sites and brownfield sites; providing for application to |
17 | solid waste removal activities and site rehabilitation; |
18 | providing for granting tax credits to multiple applicants; |
19 | providing criteria for claiming costs for solid waste |
20 | removal; providing definitions; providing for application |
21 | to construction and operation of new health care |
22 | facilities or health care providers on brownfield sites; |
23 | providing requirements; revising criteria and requirements |
24 | for granting site rehabilitation tax credits; providing |
25 | criteria and requirements for granting solid waste removal |
26 | tax credits; revising criteria and requirements for |
27 | Department of Environmental Protection review of tax |
28 | credit applications; providing notice requirements for the |
29 | department in reviewing applications; increasing available |
30 | amounts eligible for tax credits; providing additional |
31 | limitations on tax credit awards for site rehabilitation |
32 | costs and solid waste removal costs; providing |
33 | construction of costs not eligible for tax credits; |
34 | providing requirements and procedures for allocating and |
35 | awarding certain ineligible or disputed costs; amending s. |
36 | 376.79, F.S.; revising definitions relating to brownfield |
37 | redevelopment; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. |
38 | 376.80, F.S.; revising the brownfield program |
39 | administration process; revising local government proposal |
40 | requirements; revising requirements for brownfield site |
41 | redevelopment agreements; deleting certain brownfield site |
42 | rehabilitation contractor certification requirements; |
43 | deleting a requirement that certain professionals carry |
44 | professional liability insurance; providing legislative |
45 | findings and declarations; authorizing local governments |
46 | to evaluate certain benefits and effects of brownfield |
47 | site redevelopment and rehabilitation; providing criteria; |
48 | authorizing the Department of Health to assist local |
49 | governments in such evaluations; amending s. 376.82, F.S.; |
50 | conforming references; amending s. 376.86, F.S.; providing |
51 | for limited application of Brownfield Areas Loan Guarantee |
52 | Program grants to construction and operation of new health |
53 | care facilities and health care providers; expanding |
54 | membership of the Brownfield Areas Loan Guarantee Council; |
55 | providing for retroactive application; providing an |
56 | effective date. |
57 |
|
58 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
59 |
|
60 | Section 1. Section 376.30715, Florida Statutes, is amended |
61 | to read: |
62 | 376.30715 Innocent victim petroleum storage system |
63 | restoration.--A contaminated site acquired by the current owner |
64 | prior to July 1, 1990, which has ceased operating as a petroleum |
65 | storage or retail business prior to January 1, 1985, is eligible |
66 | for financial assistance pursuant to s. 376.305(6), |
67 | notwithstanding s. 376.305(6)(a). For purposes of this section, |
68 | the term "acquired" means the acquisition of title to the |
69 | property; however, a subsequent transfer of the property to a |
70 | spouse, a surviving spouse in trust or free of trust, or a |
71 | revocable trust created for the benefit of the settlor does not |
72 | disqualify the site from financial assistance pursuant to s. |
73 | 376.305(6). Eligible sites shall be ranked in accordance with s. |
74 | 376.3071(5). |
75 | Section 2. Paragraphs (a), (c), (g), and (i) of subsection |
76 | (1) and subsection (2) of section 220.1845, Florida Statutes, |
77 | are amended, and paragraphs (j) and (k) are added to subsection |
78 | (1) of that section, to read: |
79 | 220.1845 Contaminated site rehabilitation tax credit.-- |
80 | (1) AUTHORIZATION FOR TAX CREDIT; LIMITATIONS.-- |
81 | (a) A credit in the amount of 50 percent of the costs of |
82 | voluntary cleanup activity that is integral to site |
83 | rehabilitation at the following sites is available against any |
84 | tax due for a taxable year under this chapter: |
85 | 1. A drycleaning-solvent-contaminated site eligible for |
86 | state-funded site rehabilitation under s. 376.3078(3); |
87 | 2. A drycleaning-solvent-contaminated site at which site |
88 | rehabilitation cleanup is undertaken by the real property owner |
89 | pursuant to s. 376.3078(11), if the real property owner is not |
90 | also, and has never been, the owner or operator of the |
91 | drycleaning facility where the contamination exists; or |
92 | 3. A brownfield site in a designated brownfield area under |
93 | s. 376.80. |
94 | (c) If the credit granted under this section is not fully |
95 | used in any one year because of insufficient tax liability on |
96 | the part of the corporation, the unused amount may be carried |
97 | forward for up to a period not to exceed 5 years. The carryover |
98 | credit may be used in a subsequent year if when the tax imposed |
99 | by this chapter for that year exceeds the credit for which the |
100 | corporation is eligible in that year under this section after |
101 | applying the other credits and unused carryovers in the order |
102 | provided by s. 220.02(8). Five years after the date a credit is |
103 | granted under this section, such credit expires and may not be |
104 | used. However, If during the 5-year period the credit is |
105 | transferred, in whole or in part, pursuant to paragraph (g), |
106 | each transferee has 5 years after the date of transfer to use |
107 | its credit. |
108 | (g)1. Tax credits that may be available under this section |
109 | to an entity eligible under s. 376.30781 may be transferred |
110 | after a merger or acquisition to the surviving or acquiring |
111 | entity and used in the same manner and with the same |
112 | limitations. |
113 | 2. The entity or its surviving or acquiring entity as |
114 | described in subparagraph 1., may transfer any unused credit in |
115 | whole or in units of at least no less than 25 percent of the |
116 | remaining credit. The entity acquiring such credit may use it in |
117 | the same manner and with the same limitation as described in |
118 | this section. Such transferred credits may not be transferred |
119 | again although they may succeed to a surviving or acquiring |
120 | entity subject to the same conditions and limitations as |
121 | described in this section. |
122 | 3. If In the event the credit provided for under this |
123 | section is reduced due to either as a result of a determination |
124 | by the Department of Environmental Protection or an examination |
125 | or audit by the Department of Revenue, the such tax deficiency |
126 | shall be recovered from the first entity, or the surviving or |
127 | acquiring entity that, to have claimed the such credit up to the |
128 | amount of credit taken. Any subsequent deficiencies shall be |
129 | assessed against the any entity acquiring and claiming the such |
130 | credit, or in the case of multiple succeeding entities in the |
131 | order of credit succession. |
132 | (i) In order to encourage the construction of housing that |
133 | meets the definition of affordable provided in s. 420.0004(3), |
134 | an applicant for the tax credit may claim an additional 25 |
135 | percent of the total site rehabilitation costs that are eligible |
136 | for tax credits under this section, not to exceed $500,000. In |
137 | order to receive this additional tax credit, the applicant must |
138 | provide a certification letter from the Florida Housing Finance |
139 | Corporation, the local housing authority, or other governmental |
140 | agency that is a party to the use agreement, indicating that the |
141 | construction on the brownfield site is complete, the brownfield |
142 | site has received a certificate of occupancy, and the brownfield |
143 | site has a properly recorded instrument that limits the use of |
144 | the property to housing that meets the definition of affordable |
145 | provided in s. 420.0004(3). |
146 | (j) In order to encourage the redevelopment of a |
147 | brownfield site, as defined in the brownfield site |
148 | rehabilitation agreement, that is hindered by the presence of |
149 | solid waste, as defined in s. 403.703, a tax credit applicant, |
150 | or multiple tax credit applicants working jointly to clean up a |
151 | single brownfield site, may also claim costs required to address |
152 | solid waste removal as defined in this paragraph in accordance |
153 | with rules of the Department of Environmental Protection. |
154 | Multiple tax credit applicants shall be granted tax credits in |
155 | the same proportion as each applicant's contribution to payment |
156 | of solid waste removal costs. These costs are eligible for a tax |
157 | credit provided the applicant submits an affidavit stating that, |
158 | after consultation with appropriate local government officials |
159 | and the Department of Environmental Protection, to the best of |
160 | the applicant's knowledge according to such consultation and |
161 | available historical records, the brownfield site was never |
162 | operated as a permitted solid waste disposal area or was never |
163 | operated for monetary compensation and the applicant submits all |
164 | other documentation and certifications required by this section. |
165 | Under this section, wherever reference is made to "site |
166 | rehabilitation," the Department of Environmental Protection |
167 | shall instead consider whether or not the costs claimed are for |
168 | solid waste removal. Tax credit applications claiming costs |
169 | pursuant to this paragraph shall not be subject to the calendar- |
170 | year limitation and January 31 annual application deadline, and |
171 | the Department of Environmental Protection shall accept a one- |
172 | time application filed subsequent to the completion by the tax |
173 | credit applicant of the applicable requirements listed in this |
174 | section. A tax credit applicant may claim 50 percent of the cost |
175 | for solid waste removal, not to exceed $500,000, after the |
176 | applicant has determined solid waste removal is completed for |
177 | the brownfield site. A solid waste removal tax credit |
178 | application may be filed only once per brownfield site. For the |
179 | purposes of this section, the term: |
180 | 1. "Solid waste disposal area" means a landfill, dump, or |
181 | other area where solid waste has been disposed of. |
182 | 2. "Monetary compensation" means the fees that were |
183 | charged or the assessments that were levied for the disposal of |
184 | solid waste at a solid waste disposal area. |
185 | 3. "Solid waste removal" means removal of solid waste from |
186 | the land surface or excavation of solid waste from below the |
187 | land surface and removal of the solid waste from the brownfield |
188 | site. The term also includes: |
189 | a. Transportation of solid waste to a licensed or exempt |
190 | solid waste management facility or to a temporary storage area. |
191 | b. Sorting or screening of solid waste prior to removal |
192 | from the site. |
193 | c. Deposition of solid waste at a permitted or exempt |
194 | solid waste management facility, whether the solid waste is |
195 | disposed of or recycled. |
196 | (k) In order to encourage the construction and operation |
197 | of a new health care facility as defined in s. 408.032 or s. |
198 | 408.07, or a health care provider as defined in s. 408.07 or s. |
199 | 408.7056, on a brownfield site, an applicant for a tax credit |
200 | may claim an additional 25 percent of the total site |
201 | rehabilitation costs, not to exceed $500,000, if the applicant |
202 | meets the requirements of this paragraph. In order to receive |
203 | this additional tax credit, the applicant must provide |
204 | documentation indicating that the construction of the health |
205 | care facility or health care provider by the applicant on the |
206 | brownfield site has received a certificate of occupancy or a |
207 | license or certificate has been issued for the operation of the |
208 | health care facility or health care provider. |
209 | (2) FILING REQUIREMENTS.--Any corporation that wishes to |
210 | obtain credit under this section must submit with its return a |
211 | tax credit certificate approving partial tax credits issued by |
212 | the Department of Environmental Protection under s. 376.30781. |
213 | Section 3. Section 376.30781, Florida Statutes, is amended |
214 | to read: |
215 | 376.30781 Partial Tax credits for rehabilitation of |
216 | drycleaning-solvent-contaminated sites and brownfield sites in |
217 | designated brownfield areas; application process; rulemaking |
218 | authority; revocation authority.-- |
219 | (1) The Legislature finds that: |
220 | (a) To facilitate property transactions and economic |
221 | growth and development, it is in the state's interest of the |
222 | state to encourage the cleanup, at the earliest possible time, |
223 | of drycleaning-solvent-contaminated sites and brownfield sites |
224 | in designated brownfield areas. |
225 | (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the |
226 | voluntary cleanup of drycleaning-solvent-contaminated sites and |
227 | brownfield sites in designated brownfield areas by providing a |
228 | partial tax credit for the restoration of such property in |
229 | specified circumstances. |
230 | (2) Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection |
231 | paragraph (5)(a), tax credits allowed pursuant to s. 220.1845 |
232 | are available for any site rehabilitation or solid waste removal |
233 | conducted during the calendar year in which the applicable |
234 | voluntary cleanup agreement or brownfield site rehabilitation |
235 | agreement is executed, even if the site rehabilitation or solid |
236 | waste removal is conducted prior to the execution of that |
237 | agreement or the designation of the brownfield area. |
238 | (3)(a) A credit in the amount of 50 percent of the costs |
239 | of voluntary cleanup activity that is integral to site |
240 | rehabilitation at the following sites is allowed pursuant to s. |
241 | 220.1845: |
242 | 1. A drycleaning-solvent-contaminated site eligible for |
243 | state-funded site rehabilitation under s. 376.3078(3); |
244 | 2. A drycleaning-solvent-contaminated site at which site |
245 | rehabilitation cleanup is undertaken by the real property owner |
246 | pursuant to s. 376.3078(11), if the real property owner is not |
247 | also, and has never been, the owner or operator of the |
248 | drycleaning facility where the contamination exists; or |
249 | 3. A brownfield site in a designated brownfield area under |
250 | s. 376.80. |
251 | (b) A tax credit applicant, or multiple tax credit |
252 | applicants working jointly to clean up a single site, may not |
253 | receive be granted more than $500,000 per year in tax credits |
254 | for each site voluntarily rehabilitated. Multiple tax credit |
255 | applicants shall be granted tax credits in the same proportion |
256 | as each applicant's their contribution to payment of site |
257 | rehabilitation cleanup costs. Tax credits are available only for |
258 | site rehabilitation conducted during the calendar year for which |
259 | the tax credit application is submitted. For purposes of this |
260 | section, the term "integral to site rehabilitation" means work |
261 | that is necessary to implement the requirements of chapter 62- |
262 | 785 or chapter 62-782, Florida Administrative Code. |
263 | (c) In order to encourage completion of site |
264 | rehabilitation at contaminated sites that are being voluntarily |
265 | cleaned up and that are eligible for a tax credit under this |
266 | section, the tax credit applicant may claim an additional 25 |
267 | percent of the total site rehabilitation cleanup costs, not to |
268 | exceed $500,000, in the final year of cleanup as evidenced by |
269 | the Department of Environmental Protection issuing a "No Further |
270 | Action" order for that site. |
271 | (d) In order to encourage the construction of housing that |
272 | meets the definition of affordable provided in s. 420.0004(3), |
273 | an applicant for the tax credit may claim an additional 25 |
274 | percent of the total site rehabilitation costs that are eligible |
275 | for tax credits under this section, not to exceed $500,000. In |
276 | order To receive this additional tax credit, the applicant must |
277 | provide a certification letter from the Florida Housing Finance |
278 | Corporation, the local housing authority, or other governmental |
279 | agency that is a party to the use agreement, indicating that the |
280 | construction on the brownfield site is complete, the brownfield |
281 | site has received a certificate of occupancy, and the brownfield |
282 | site has a properly recorded instrument that limits the use of |
283 | the property to housing that meets the definition of affordable |
284 | provided in s. 420.0004(3). Notwithstanding the limitation that |
285 | only one application may shall be submitted each year for each |
286 | site, an application for the additional credit provided for in |
287 | this paragraph shall be submitted after as soon as all |
288 | requirements to obtain the this additional tax credit have been |
289 | met. |
290 | (e) In order Notwithstanding the restrictions in this |
291 | section that limit tax credit eligibility to costs that are |
292 | integral to site rehabilitation, to encourage the redevelopment |
293 | of a brownfield site, as defined in the brownfield site |
294 | rehabilitation agreement, properties in designated brownfield |
295 | areas that is are hindered by the presence of solid waste, as |
296 | defined in s. 403.703, costs related to solid waste removal may |
297 | also be claimed under this section. A tax credit applicant, or |
298 | multiple tax credit applicants working jointly to clean up a |
299 | single brownfield site, may also claim costs to address the |
300 | solid waste removal as defined in this paragraph, but only those |
301 | costs to remove, transport, and dispose of solid waste in |
302 | accordance with department rules. Multiple tax credit applicants |
303 | shall be granted tax credits in the same proportion as each |
304 | applicant's contribution to payment of solid waste removal |
305 | costs. These costs are eligible for a tax credit provided the |
306 | applicant submits an affidavit stating that, after consultation |
307 | with appropriate local government officials and the department, |
308 | to the best of the applicant's knowledge based upon such |
309 | consultation and available historical records, the brownfield |
310 | site was never operated as a permitted solid waste disposal area |
311 | or was never operated landfill or dump site for monetary |
312 | compensation, and the applicant submits all other documentation |
313 | and certifications required by this section. In this section, |
314 | where reference is made to "site rehabilitation," the department |
315 | shall instead consider whether the costs claimed are for solid |
316 | waste removal, transportation, and disposal of solid waste. Tax |
317 | credit applications claiming costs pursuant to this paragraph |
318 | shall not be subject to the calendar-year limitation and January |
319 | 31 15 annual application deadline, and the department shall |
320 | accept a one-time application filed subsequent to the completion |
321 | by the tax credit applicant of the applicable requirements |
322 | listed in this subsection paragraph. A tax credit applicant may |
323 | claim 50 percent of the costs for solid waste removal, not to |
324 | exceed $500,000, after the applicant has determined solid waste |
325 | removal is completed for the brownfield site. A solid waste |
326 | removal tax credit application may be filed only once per |
327 | brownfield site. For the purposes of this section, the term: |
328 | 1. "Solid waste disposal area" means a landfill, dump, or |
329 | other area where solid waste has been disposed. |
330 | 2. "Monetary compensation" means the fees that were |
331 | charged or the assessments that were levied for the disposal of |
332 | solid waste at a solid waste disposal area. |
333 | 3. "Solid waste removal" means removal of solid waste from |
334 | the land surface or excavation of solid waste from below the |
335 | land surface and removal of the solid waste from the brownfield |
336 | site. The term also includes: |
337 | a. Transportation of solid waste to a licensed or exempt |
338 | solid waste management facility or to a temporary storage area. |
339 | b. Sorting or screening of solid waste prior to removal |
340 | from the site. |
341 | c. Deposition of solid waste at a permitted or exempt |
342 | solid waste management facility, whether the solid waste is |
343 | disposed of or recycled. |
344 | (f) In order to encourage the construction and operation |
345 | of a new health care facility or a health care provider, as |
346 | defined in s. 408.032, s. 408.07, or s. 408.7056, on a |
347 | brownfield site, an applicant for a tax credit may claim an |
348 | additional 25 percent of the total site rehabilitation costs, |
349 | not to exceed $500,000, if the applicant meets the requirements |
350 | of this paragraph. In order to receive this additional tax |
351 | credit, the applicant must provide documentation indicating that |
352 | the construction of the health care facility or health care |
353 | provider by the applicant on the brownfield site has received a |
354 | certificate of occupancy or a license or certificate has been |
355 | issued for the operation of the health care facility or health |
356 | care provider. |
357 | (4) The Department of Environmental Protection is shall be |
358 | responsible for allocating the tax credits provided for in s. |
359 | 220.1845, which may not to exceed a total of $2 million in tax |
360 | credits annually. |
361 | (5) To claim the credit for site rehabilitation or solid |
362 | waste removal conducted during the current calendar year, each |
363 | tax credit applicant must apply to the Department of |
364 | Environmental Protection for an allocation of the $2 million |
365 | annual credit by filing a tax credit application with the |
366 | Division of Waste Management January 15 of the following year on |
367 | a form developed by the Department of Environmental Protection |
368 | in cooperation with the Department of Revenue. The form shall |
369 | include an affidavit from each tax credit applicant certifying |
370 | that all information contained in the application, including all |
371 | records of costs incurred and claimed in the tax credit |
372 | application, are true and correct. If the application is |
373 | submitted pursuant to subparagraph (3)(a)2., the form must |
374 | include an affidavit signed by the real property owner stating |
375 | that it is not, and has never been, the owner or operator of the |
376 | drycleaning facility where the contamination exists. Approval of |
377 | partial tax credits must be accomplished on a first-come, first- |
378 | served basis based upon the date and time complete applications |
379 | are received by the Division of Waste Management, subject to the |
380 | limitations of subsection (14). A tax credit applicant shall |
381 | submit only one complete application per site for each calendar |
382 | year's site rehabilitation costs. Incomplete placeholder |
383 | applications shall not be accepted and will not secure a place |
384 | in the first-come, first-served application line. To be eligible |
385 | for a tax credit, the tax credit applicant must: |
386 | (a) For site rehabilitation tax credits, have entered into |
387 | a voluntary cleanup agreement with the Department of |
388 | Environmental Protection for a drycleaning-solvent-contaminated |
389 | site or a Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement, as |
390 | applicable,; and have paid all deductibles pursuant to s. |
391 | 376.3078(3)(e) for eligible drycleaning-solvent-cleanup program |
392 | sites, as applicable. A site rehabilitation tax credit applicant |
393 | must submit only a single completed application per site for |
394 | each calendar year's site rehabilitation costs. A site |
395 | rehabilitation application must be received by the Division of |
396 | Waste Management of the Department of Environmental Protection |
397 | by January 31 of the year after the calendar year for which site |
398 | rehabilitation costs are being claimed in a tax credit |
399 | application. |
400 | (b) For solid waste removal tax credits, have entered into |
401 | a brownfield site rehabilitation agreement with the Department |
402 | of Environmental Protection. A solid waste removal tax credit |
403 | applicant must submit only a single complete application per |
404 | brownfield site, as defined in the brownfield site |
405 | rehabilitation agreement, for solid waste removal costs. A solid |
406 | waste removal tax credit application must be received by the |
407 | Division of Waste Management of the Department of Environmental |
408 | Protection subsequent to the completion of the requirements |
409 | listed in paragraph (3)(e) Have paid all deductibles pursuant to |
410 | s. 376.3078(3)(e) for eligible drycleaning-solvent-cleanup |
411 | program sites. |
412 | (6) To obtain the tax credit certificate, a tax credit |
413 | applicant must annually file an application for certification, |
414 | which must be received by the Division of Waste Management of |
415 | the Department of Environmental Protection by January 15 of the |
416 | year following the calendar year for which site rehabilitation |
417 | costs are being claimed in a tax credit application. the tax |
418 | credit applicant must provide all pertinent information |
419 | requested on the tax credit application form, including, at a |
420 | minimum, the name and address of the tax credit applicant and |
421 | the address and tracking identification number of the eligible |
422 | site. Along with the tax credit application form, the tax credit |
423 | applicant must submit the following: |
424 | (a) A nonrefundable review fee of $250 made payable to the |
425 | Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund to cover the administrative |
426 | costs associated with the department's review of the tax credit |
427 | application; |
428 | (b) Copies of documents that describe the goods or |
429 | services and associated costs being claimed that were integral |
430 | to site rehabilitation as defined in s. 376.301 or s. 376.79 or |
431 | were for solid waste removal as defined in this section during |
432 | the time period covered by the application. Such documents must |
433 | include contractual records that describe the scope of work |
434 | performed, payment requests that describe the goods or services |
435 | provided, and payment records involving actual costs incurred |
436 | and paid. Such documentation must be sufficient to demonstrate a |
437 | link between the contractual records, the payment requests, and |
438 | the payment records for the time period covered by the |
439 | application contracts and documentation of contract |
440 | negotiations, accounts, invoices, sales tickets, or other |
441 | payment records from purchases, sales, leases, or other |
442 | transactions involving actual costs incurred for that tax year |
443 | related to site rehabilitation, as that term is defined in ss. |
444 | 376.301 and 376.79; |
445 | (c) Proof that the documentation submitted pursuant to |
446 | paragraph (b) has been reviewed and verified by an independent |
447 | certified public accountant in accordance with standards |
448 | established by the American Institute of Certified Public |
449 | Accountants. Specifically, a certified public accountant's |
450 | report must be submitted and the certified public accountant |
451 | must attest to the accuracy and validity of the costs incurred |
452 | and paid during the time period covered in the application by |
453 | conducting an independent review of the data presented by the |
454 | tax credit applicant. Accuracy and validity of costs incurred |
455 | and paid shall would be determined after once the level of |
456 | effort is was certified by an appropriate professional |
457 | registered in this state in each contributing technical |
458 | discipline. The certified public accountant's report must would |
459 | also attest that the costs included in the application form are |
460 | not duplicated within the application. A copy of the |
461 | accountant's report shall be submitted to the Department of |
462 | Environmental Protection in addition to the accountant's |
463 | certification form in with the tax credit application; and |
464 | (d) A certification form stating that site rehabilitation |
465 | activities associated with the documentation submitted pursuant |
466 | to paragraph (b) have been conducted under the observation of, |
467 | and related technical documents have been signed and sealed by, |
468 | an appropriate professional registered in this state in each |
469 | contributing technical discipline. The certification form shall |
470 | be signed and sealed by the appropriate registered professionals |
471 | stating that the costs incurred were integral, necessary, and |
472 | required for site rehabilitation, as that term is defined in ss. |
473 | 376.301 and 376.79. If the scope of solid waste removal |
474 | activities does not require oversight by a registered technical |
475 | professional in this state, such certification form is not |
476 | required as part of the tax credit application. |
477 | (7) The certified public accountant and appropriate |
478 | registered professionals submitting forms as part of a tax |
479 | credit application must verify such forms by completing and |
480 | signing the appropriate certifications included as part of the |
481 | application form. Verification shall must be accomplished as |
482 | provided in s. 92.525(1)(b) and subject to the provisions of s. |
483 | 92.525(3). |
484 | (8) The Department of Environmental Protection shall |
485 | review the tax credit application and any supplemental |
486 | documentation that the tax credit applicant may submit prior to |
487 | the annual application deadline, if applicable, for completeness |
488 | and eligibility, as follows: |
489 | (a) To be In order to have the application considered |
490 | complete, the review must verify for the purpose of verifying |
491 | that the tax credit applicant has met the appropriate qualifying |
492 | criteria in subsections (3) and (5), and has submitted a |
493 | completed application form, and has addressed each of the |
494 | categories of submittals all required documentation listed in |
495 | subsection (6). Upon verification that the tax credit applicant |
496 | has met such completeness these requirements, the tax credit |
497 | application secures a place in the first-come, first-served |
498 | application line. If the department determines that an |
499 | application is incomplete, the department shall notify the |
500 | applicant in writing and the applicant shall have 30 days after |
501 | receiving such notification to correct any deficiency. Upon |
502 | timely correction of any deficiencies, the tax credit |
503 | application secures a place in the first-come, first-served |
504 | application line. Tax credit applications may not be altered to |
505 | claim additional costs during this time. |
506 | (b) In order to have costs considered eligible, the review |
507 | of the complete application shall be performed to verify that |
508 | the work claimed was integral to site rehabilitation or was for |
509 | solid waste removal, that the work claimed was performed in the |
510 | applicable timeframe, and that the costs claimed were properly |
511 | documented. Upon verification, the department shall issue a |
512 | written decision granting eligibility for partial tax credits (a |
513 | tax credit certificate). Complete tax credit applications shall |
514 | be reviewed for eligible costs in conjunction with in the amount |
515 | of 50 percent of the total costs claimed, subject to the |
516 | $500,000 limitation, for the calendar year for which the tax |
517 | credit application is submitted based on the report of the |
518 | certified public accountant and the certifications from the |
519 | appropriate registered technical professionals, as applicable. |
520 | (9) On or before May 1 March 31, the Department of |
521 | Environmental Protection shall inform each eligible tax credit |
522 | applicant that is subject to the January 31 annual application |
523 | deadline of the applicant's eligibility status and of the amount |
524 | of any its partial tax credit due. The department shall and |
525 | provide each eligible tax credit applicant with a tax credit |
526 | certificate that must be submitted with its tax return to the |
527 | Department of Revenue to claim the tax credit or be transferred |
528 | pursuant to s. 220.1845(1)(g)(h). The May 1 deadline for annual |
529 | site rehabilitation tax credit certificate awards shall not |
530 | apply to any tax credit application for which the department has |
531 | issued a notice of deficiency pursuant to subsection (8). The |
532 | department shall respond within 90 days after receiving a |
533 | response from the tax credit applicant to such a notice of |
534 | deficiency. Credits may will not result in the payment of |
535 | refunds if total credits exceed the amount of tax owed. |
536 | (10) For solid waste removal, new health care facility or |
537 | health care provider, and affordable housing tax credit |
538 | applications, the Department of Environmental Protection shall |
539 | inform the applicant of the department's determination within 90 |
540 | days after the application is deemed complete. Each eligible tax |
541 | credit applicant shall be informed of the amount of its tax |
542 | credit and provided with a tax credit certificate that must be |
543 | submitted with its tax return to the Department of Revenue to |
544 | claim the tax credit or be transferred pursuant to s. |
545 | 220.1845(1)(g). Credits may not result in the payment of refunds |
546 | if total credits exceed the amount of tax owed. |
547 | (11)(10) If a tax credit applicant does not receive a tax |
548 | credit allocation due to an exhaustion of the 2 million annual |
549 | tax credit authorization, such application will then be included |
550 | in the same first-come, first-served order in the next year's |
551 | annual tax credit allocation, if any, based on the prior year |
552 | application. |
553 | (12)(11) The Department of Environmental Protection may |
554 | adopt rules to prescribe the necessary forms required to claim |
555 | tax credits under this section and to provide the administrative |
556 | guidelines and procedures required to administer this section. |
557 | (13)(12) The Department of Environmental Protection may |
558 | revoke or modify any written decision granting eligibility for |
559 | partial tax credits under this section if it is discovered that |
560 | the tax credit applicant submitted any false statement, |
561 | representation, or certification in any application, record, |
562 | report, plan, or other document filed in an attempt to receive |
563 | partial tax credits under this section. The Department of |
564 | Environmental Protection shall immediately notify the Department |
565 | of Revenue of any revoked or modified orders affecting |
566 | previously granted partial tax credits. Additionally, the tax |
567 | credit applicant must notify the Department of Revenue of any |
568 | change in its tax credit claimed. |
569 | (14)(a)(13) A tax credit applicant who receives state- |
570 | funded site rehabilitation under s. 376.3078(3) for |
571 | rehabilitation of a drycleaning-solvent-contaminated site is |
572 | ineligible to receive a tax credit under s. 220.1845 for costs |
573 | incurred by the tax credit applicant in conjunction with the |
574 | rehabilitation of that site during the same time period that |
575 | state-administered site rehabilitation was underway. |
576 | (b) Tax credits for site rehabilitation awarded pursuant |
577 | to paragraphs (3)(b)-(d) and (f) are additive, but at no time |
578 | shall the total tax credit award for site rehabilitation exceed |
579 | 100 percent of the costs incurred and paid by an applicant. |
580 | (c) A single brownfield site may receive tax credits for |
581 | both eligible site rehabilitation costs and eligible solid waste |
582 | removal costs provided the costs for any given activity are not |
583 | claimed for both site rehabilitation and solid waste removal |
584 | such that the same costs are claimed twice. |
585 | (d) For purposes of this subsection, costs incurred that |
586 | are not considered integral to site rehabilitation include, but |
587 | are not limited to, brownfield area designation costs and tax |
588 | credit application preparation and submittal costs. |
589 | (e) If the department notifies an applicant pursuant to |
590 | subsection (9) that any claimed costs are ineligible, those |
591 | costs may not be allocated and applied to the annual tax credit |
592 | authorization, and any disputed costs may not delay the |
593 | application processing or award for subsequent eligible tax |
594 | credit applicants in the first-come, first-served application |
595 | line. However, if the department subsequently agrees to award |
596 | tax credits on any amount that was disputed, the department |
597 | shall do so based upon the first-come, first-served application |
598 | line determined by the applicant's original completeness date |
599 | and time, provided there is any tax credit authorization |
600 | available. If a tax credit applicant does not receive an award |
601 | for the disputed costs due to an exhaustion of the annual tax |
602 | credit authorization, such subsequent tax credit award shall be |
603 | included in the same first-come, first-served order in the next |
604 | year's annual tax credit allocation, if any, based upon the |
605 | applicant's original completeness date and time. |
606 | Section 4. Subsections (6), (8), (10), (11), (12), and |
607 | (17) of section 376.79, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
608 | 376.79 Definitions relating to Brownfields Redevelopment |
609 | Act.--As used in ss. 376.77-376.85, the term: |
610 | (6) "Contaminated site" means any contiguous land, |
611 | sediment, surface water, or groundwater areas that contain |
612 | contaminants that may be harmful to human health or the |
613 | environment. |
614 | (8) "Engineering controls" means modifications to a site |
615 | to reduce or eliminate the potential for exposure to chemicals |
616 | of concern from petroleum products, drycleaning solvents, or |
617 | other contaminants. Such modifications may include, but are not |
618 | limited to, physical or hydraulic control measures, capping, |
619 | point of use treatments, or slurry walls. |
620 | (10) "Institutional controls" means the restriction on use |
621 | of or access to a site to eliminate or minimize exposure to |
622 | chemicals of concern from petroleum products, drycleaning |
623 | solvents, or other contaminants. Such restrictions may include, |
624 | but are not limited to, deed restrictions, restrictive |
625 | covenants, or conservation easements. |
626 | (11) "Local pollution control program" means a local |
627 | pollution control program that has received delegated authority |
628 | from the Department of Environmental Protection under ss. |
629 | 376.80(9)(11) and 403.182. |
630 | (12) "Natural attenuation" means a verifiable approach to |
631 | site rehabilitation that which allows natural processes to |
632 | contain the spread of contamination and reduce the |
633 | concentrations of contaminants in contaminated groundwater and |
634 | soil. Natural attenuation processes may include sorption, |
635 | biodegradation, chemical reactions with subsurface materials, |
636 | diffusion, dispersion, and volatilization. |
637 | (17) "Site rehabilitation" means the assessment of site |
638 | contamination and the remediation activities that reduce the |
639 | levels of contaminants at a site through accepted treatment |
640 | methods to meet the cleanup target levels established for that |
641 | site. For purposes of sites subject to the Resource Conservation |
642 | and Recovery Act, as amended, the term includes removal, |
643 | decontamination, and corrective action of releases of hazardous |
644 | substances. |
645 | Section 5. Section 376.80, Florida Statutes, is amended to |
646 | read: |
647 | 376.80 Brownfield program administration process.-- |
648 | (1) A local government with jurisdiction over the |
649 | brownfield area must notify the department of its decision to |
650 | designate a brownfield area for rehabilitation for the purposes |
651 | of ss. 376.77-376.86 376.77-376.85. The notification must |
652 | include a resolution, by the local government body, to which is |
653 | attached a map adequate to clearly delineate exactly which |
654 | parcels are to be included in the brownfield area or |
655 | alternatively a less-detailed map accompanied by a detailed |
656 | legal description of the brownfield area. If a property owner |
657 | within the area proposed for designation by the local government |
658 | requests in writing to have his or her property removed from the |
659 | proposed designation, the local government shall grant the |
660 | request. For municipalities, the governing body shall adopt the |
661 | resolution in accordance with the procedures outlined in s. |
662 | 166.041, except that the notice for the public hearings on the |
663 | proposed resolution must be in the form established in s. |
664 | 166.041(3)(c)2. For counties, the governing body shall adopt the |
665 | resolution in accordance with the procedures outlined in s. |
666 | 125.66, except that the notice for the public hearings on the |
667 | proposed resolution shall be in the form established in s. |
668 | 125.66(4)(b)2. |
669 | (2)(a) If a local government proposes to designate a |
670 | brownfield area that is outside community redevelopment areas, |
671 | enterprise zones, empowerment zones, closed military bases, or |
672 | designated brownfield pilot project areas, the local government |
673 | shall adopt the resolution and must conduct the public hearings |
674 | in accordance with the requirements of subsection (1), except at |
675 | least one of the required public hearings shall be conducted as |
676 | close as reasonably practicable to hearing in the area to be |
677 | designated to provide an opportunity for public input on the |
678 | size of the area, the objectives for rehabilitation, job |
679 | opportunities and economic developments anticipated, |
680 | neighborhood residents' considerations, and other relevant local |
681 | concerns. Notice of the public hearing must be made in a |
682 | newspaper of general circulation in the area and the notice must |
683 | be at least 16 square inches in size, must be in ethnic |
684 | newspapers or local community bulletins, must be posted in the |
685 | affected area, and must be announced at a scheduled meeting of |
686 | the local governing body before the actual public hearing. In |
687 | determining the areas to be designated, the local government |
688 | must consider: |
689 | 1. Whether the brownfield area warrants economic |
690 | development and has a reasonable potential for such activities; |
691 | 2. Whether the proposed area to be designated represents a |
692 | reasonably focused approach and is not overly large in |
693 | geographic coverage; |
694 | 3. Whether the area has potential to interest the private |
695 | sector in participating in rehabilitation; and |
696 | 4. Whether the area contains sites or parts of sites |
697 | suitable for limited recreational open space, cultural, or |
698 | historical preservation purposes. |
699 | (b) A local government shall designate a brownfield area |
700 | under the provisions of this act provided that: |
701 | 1. A person who owns or controls a potential brownfield |
702 | site is requesting the designation and has agreed to |
703 | rehabilitate and redevelop the brownfield site; |
704 | 2. The rehabilitation and redevelopment of the proposed |
705 | brownfield site will result in economic productivity of the |
706 | area, along with the creation of at least 5 new permanent jobs |
707 | at the brownfield site that which are full-time equivalent |
708 | positions not associated with the implementation of the |
709 | brownfield site rehabilitation agreement and that which are not |
710 | associated with redevelopment project demolition or construction |
711 | activities pursuant to the redevelopment of the proposed |
712 | brownfield site or area agreement required under paragraph |
713 | (5)(i). However, the job creation requirement shall not apply to |
714 | the rehabilitation and redevelopment of a brownfield site that |
715 | will provide affordable housing as defined in s. 420.0004(3) or |
716 | the creation of recreational areas, conservation areas, or |
717 | parks; |
718 | 3. The redevelopment of the proposed brownfield site is |
719 | consistent with the local comprehensive plan and is a |
720 | permittable use under the applicable local land development |
721 | regulations; |
722 | 4. Notice of the proposed rehabilitation of the brownfield |
723 | area has been provided to neighbors and nearby residents of the |
724 | proposed area to be designated, and the person proposing the |
725 | area for designation has afforded to those receiving notice the |
726 | opportunity for comments and suggestions about rehabilitation. |
727 | Notice pursuant to this subparagraph subsection must be made in |
728 | a newspaper of general circulation in the area, at least 16 |
729 | square inches in size, and the notice must be posted in the |
730 | affected area; and |
731 | 5. The person proposing the area for designation has |
732 | provided reasonable assurance that he or she has sufficient |
733 | financial resources to implement and complete the rehabilitation |
734 | agreement and redevelopment of the brownfield site plan. |
735 | (c) The designation of a brownfield area and the |
736 | identification of a person responsible for brownfield site |
737 | rehabilitation simply entitles the identified person to |
738 | negotiate a brownfield site rehabilitation agreement with the |
739 | department or approved local pollution control program. |
740 | (3) When there is a person responsible for brownfield site |
741 | rehabilitation, the local government must notify the department |
742 | of the identity of that person. If the agency or person who will |
743 | be responsible for the coordination changes during the approval |
744 | process specified in subsections (4), (5), and (6), the |
745 | department or the affected approved local pollution control |
746 | program must notify the affected local government when the |
747 | change occurs. |
748 | (4) Local governments or persons responsible for |
749 | rehabilitation and redevelopment of brownfield areas must |
750 | establish an advisory committee or use an existing advisory |
751 | committee that has formally expressed its intent to address |
752 | redevelopment of the specific brownfield area for the purpose of |
753 | improving public participation and receiving public comments on |
754 | rehabilitation and redevelopment of the brownfield area, future |
755 | land use, local employment opportunities, community safety, and |
756 | environmental justice. Such advisory committee should include |
757 | residents within or adjacent to the brownfield area, businesses |
758 | operating within the brownfield area, and others deemed |
759 | appropriate. The person responsible for brownfield site |
760 | rehabilitation must notify the advisory committee of the intent |
761 | to rehabilitate and redevelop the site before executing the |
762 | brownfield site rehabilitation agreement, and provide the |
763 | committee with a copy of the draft plan for site rehabilitation |
764 | which addresses elements required by subsection (5). This |
765 | includes disclosing potential reuse of the property as well as |
766 | site rehabilitation activities, if any, to be performed. The |
767 | advisory committee shall review any the proposed redevelopment |
768 | agreements prepared agreement required pursuant to paragraph |
769 | (5)(i) and provide comments, if appropriate, to the board of the |
770 | local government with jurisdiction over the brownfield area. The |
771 | advisory committee must receive a copy of the executed |
772 | brownfield site rehabilitation agreement. When the person |
773 | responsible for brownfield site rehabilitation submits a site |
774 | assessment report or the technical document containing the |
775 | proposed course of action following site assessment to the |
776 | department or the local pollution control program for review, |
777 | the person responsible for brownfield site rehabilitation must |
778 | hold a meeting or attend a regularly scheduled meeting to inform |
779 | the advisory committee of the findings and recommendations in |
780 | the site assessment report or the technical document containing |
781 | the proposed course of action following site assessment. |
782 | (5) The person responsible for brownfield site |
783 | rehabilitation must enter into a brownfield site rehabilitation |
784 | agreement with the department or an approved local pollution |
785 | control program if actual contamination exists at the brownfield |
786 | site. The brownfield site rehabilitation agreement must include: |
787 | (a) A brownfield site rehabilitation schedule, including |
788 | milestones for completion of site rehabilitation tasks and |
789 | submittal of technical reports and rehabilitation plans as |
790 | agreed upon by the parties to the agreement.; |
791 | (b) A commitment to conduct site rehabilitation activities |
792 | under the observation of professional engineers or geologists |
793 | who are registered in accordance with the requirements of |
794 | chapter 471 or chapter 492, respectively. Submittals provided by |
795 | the person responsible for brownfield site rehabilitation must |
796 | be signed and sealed by a professional engineer registered under |
797 | chapter 471, or a professional geologist registered under |
798 | chapter 492, certifying that the submittal and associated work |
799 | comply with the law and rules of the department and those |
800 | governing the profession. In addition, upon completion of the |
801 | approved remedial action, the department shall require a |
802 | professional engineer registered under chapter 471 or a |
803 | professional geologist registered under chapter 492 to certify |
804 | that the corrective action was, to the best of his or her |
805 | knowledge, completed in substantial conformance with the plans |
806 | and specifications approved by the department.; |
807 | (c) A commitment to conduct site rehabilitation in |
808 | accordance with department quality assurance rules.; |
809 | (d) A commitment to conduct site rehabilitation consistent |
810 | with state, federal, and local laws and consistent with the |
811 | brownfield site contamination cleanup criteria in s. 376.81, |
812 | including any applicable requirements for risk-based corrective |
813 | action.; |
814 | (e) Timeframes for the department's review of technical |
815 | reports and plans submitted in accordance with the agreement. |
816 | The department shall make every effort to adhere to established |
817 | agency goals for reasonable timeframes for review of such |
818 | documents.; |
819 | (f) A commitment to secure site access for the department |
820 | or approved local pollution control program to all brownfield |
821 | sites within the eligible brownfield area for activities |
822 | associated with site rehabilitation.; |
823 | (g) Other provisions that the person responsible for |
824 | brownfield site rehabilitation and the department agree upon, |
825 | that are consistent with ss. 376.77-376.86 376.77-376.85, and |
826 | that will improve or enhance the brownfield site rehabilitation |
827 | process.; |
828 | (h) A commitment to consider appropriate pollution |
829 | prevention measures and to implement those that the person |
830 | responsible for brownfield site rehabilitation determines are |
831 | reasonable and cost-effective, taking into account the ultimate |
832 | use or uses of the brownfield site. Such measures may include |
833 | improved inventory or production controls and procedures for |
834 | preventing loss, spills, and leaks of hazardous waste and |
835 | materials, and include goals for the reduction of releases of |
836 | toxic materials.; and |
837 | (i) Certification that an agreement exists between the |
838 | person responsible for brownfield site rehabilitation has |
839 | consulted with and the local government with jurisdiction over |
840 | the brownfield area about the proposed redevelopment of the |
841 | brownfield site, that the local government is in agreement with |
842 | or approves the proposed redevelopment, and that the proposed |
843 | redevelopment complies with applicable laws and requirements for |
844 | such redevelopment. Certification shall be accomplished by |
845 | referencing or providing a legally recorded or officially |
846 | approved land use or site plan, a development order or approval, |
847 | a building permit, or a similar official document issued by the |
848 | local government that reflects the local government's approval |
849 | of proposed redevelopment of the brownfield site; providing a |
850 | copy of the local government resolution designating the |
851 | brownfield area that contains the proposed redevelopment of the |
852 | brownfield site; or providing a letter from the local government |
853 | that describes the proposed redevelopment of the brownfield site |
854 | and expresses the local government's agreement with or approval |
855 | of the proposed redevelopment. Such agreement shall contain |
856 | terms for the redevelopment of the brownfield area. |
857 | (6) Any contractor performing site rehabilitation program |
858 | tasks must demonstrate to the department that the contractor: |
859 | (a) Meets all certification and license requirements |
860 | imposed by law; and |
861 | (b) Will conduct Has obtained the necessary approvals for |
862 | conducting sample collection and analyses pursuant to department |
863 | rules. |
864 | (7) The contractor who is performing the majority of the |
865 | site rehabilitation program tasks pursuant to a brownfield site |
866 | rehabilitation agreement or supervising the performance of such |
867 | tasks by licensed subcontractors in accordance with the |
868 | provisions of s. 489.113(9) must certify to the department that |
869 | the contractor: |
870 | (a) Complies with applicable OSHA regulations. |
871 | (b) Maintains workers' compensation insurance for all |
872 | employees as required by the Florida Workers' Compensation Law. |
873 | (c) Maintains comprehensive general liability coverage |
874 | with limits of not less than $1 million per occurrence and $2 |
875 | million general aggregate for bodily injury and property damage |
876 | and comprehensive automobile liability coverage with limits of |
877 | not less than $1 million combined single limit. The contractor |
878 | shall also maintain pollution liability coverage with limits of |
879 | not less than $3 million aggregate for personal injury or death, |
880 | $1 million per occurrence for personal injury or death, and $1 |
881 | million per occurrence for property damage. The contractor's |
882 | certificate of insurance shall name the state as an additional |
883 | insured party. |
884 | (d) Maintains professional liability insurance of at least |
885 | $1 million per claim and $1 million annual aggregate. |
886 | (8) Any professional engineer or geologist providing |
887 | professional services relating to site rehabilitation program |
888 | tasks must carry professional liability insurance with a |
889 | coverage limit of at least $1 million. |
890 | (7)(9) During the cleanup process, if the department or |
891 | local program fails to complete review of a technical document |
892 | within the timeframe specified in the brownfield site |
893 | rehabilitation agreement, the person responsible for brownfield |
894 | site rehabilitation may proceed to the next site rehabilitation |
895 | task. However, the person responsible for brownfield site |
896 | rehabilitation does so at its own risk and may be required by |
897 | the department or local program to complete additional work on a |
898 | previous task. Exceptions to this subsection include requests |
899 | for "no further action," "monitoring only proposals," and |
900 | feasibility studies, which must be approved prior to |
901 | implementation. |
902 | (8)(10) If the person responsible for brownfield site |
903 | rehabilitation fails to comply with the brownfield site |
904 | rehabilitation agreement, the department shall allow 90 days for |
905 | the person responsible for brownfield site rehabilitation to |
906 | return to compliance with the provision at issue or to negotiate |
907 | a modification to the brownfield site rehabilitation agreement |
908 | with the department for good cause shown. If an imminent hazard |
909 | exists, the 90-day grace period shall not apply. If the project |
910 | is not returned to compliance with the brownfield site |
911 | rehabilitation agreement and a modification cannot be |
912 | negotiated, the immunity provisions of s. 376.82 are revoked. |
913 | (9)(11) The department is specifically authorized and |
914 | encouraged to enter into delegation agreements with local |
915 | pollution control programs approved under s. 403.182 to |
916 | administer the brownfield program within their jurisdictions, |
917 | thereby maximizing the integration of this process with the |
918 | other local development processes needed to facilitate |
919 | redevelopment of a brownfield area. When determining whether a |
920 | delegation pursuant to this subsection of all or part of the |
921 | brownfield program to a local pollution control program is |
922 | appropriate, the department shall consider the following. The |
923 | local pollution control program must: |
924 | (a) Have and maintain the administrative organization, |
925 | staff, and financial and other resources to effectively and |
926 | efficiently implement and enforce the statutory requirements of |
927 | the delegated brownfield program; and |
928 | (b) Provide for the enforcement of the requirements of the |
929 | delegated brownfield program, and for notice and a right to |
930 | challenge governmental action, by appropriate administrative and |
931 | judicial process, which shall be specified in the delegation. |
932 |
|
933 | The local pollution control program shall not be delegated |
934 | authority to take action on or to make decisions regarding any |
935 | brownfield site on land owned by the local government. Any |
936 | delegation agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection |
937 | shall contain such terms and conditions necessary to ensure the |
938 | effective and efficient administration and enforcement of the |
939 | statutory requirements of the brownfield program as established |
940 | by the act and the relevant rules and other criteria of the |
941 | department. |
942 | (10)(12) Local governments are encouraged to use the full |
943 | range of economic and tax incentives available to facilitate and |
944 | promote the rehabilitation of brownfield areas, to help |
945 | eliminate the public health and environmental hazards, and to |
946 | promote the creation of jobs and economic development in these |
947 | previously run-down, blighted, and underutilized areas. |
948 | (11)(a) The Legislature finds and declares that: |
949 | 1. Brownfield site rehabilitation and redevelopment can |
950 | improve the overall health of a community and the quality of |
951 | life for communities, including for individuals living in such |
952 | communities. |
953 | 2. The community health benefits of brownfield site |
954 | rehabilitation and redevelopment should be better measured in |
955 | order to achieve the legislative intent as expressed in s. |
956 | 376.78. |
957 | 3. There is a need in this state to define and better |
958 | measure the community health benefits of brownfield site |
959 | rehabilitation and redevelopment. |
960 | 4. Funding sources should be established to support |
961 | efforts by the state and local governments, in collaboration |
962 | with local health departments, community health providers, and |
963 | nonprofit organizations, to evaluate the community health |
964 | benefits of brownfield site rehabilitation and redevelopment. |
965 | (b) Local governments may and are encouraged to evaluate |
966 | the community health benefits and effects of brownfield site |
967 | rehabilitation and redevelopment in connection with brownfield |
968 | areas located within their jurisdictions. Factors that may be |
969 | evaluated and monitored before and after brownfield site |
970 | rehabilitation and redevelopment include, but are not limited |
971 | to: |
972 | 1. Health status, disease distribution, and quality of |
973 | life measures regarding populations living in or around |
974 | brownfield sites that have been rehabilitated and redeveloped. |
975 | 2. Access to primary and other health care or health |
976 | services for persons living in or around brownfield sites that |
977 | have been rehabilitated and redeveloped. |
978 | 3. Any new or increased access to open, green, park, or |
979 | other recreational spaces that provide recreational |
980 | opportunities for individuals living in or around brownfield |
981 | sites that have been rehabilitated and redeveloped. |
982 | 4. Other factors described in rules adopted by the |
983 | Department of Environmental Protection or the Department of |
984 | Health, as applicable. |
985 | (c) The Department of Health may and is encouraged to |
986 | assist local governments, in collaboration with local health |
987 | departments, community health providers, and nonprofit |
988 | organizations, in evaluating the community health benefits of |
989 | brownfield site rehabilitation and redevelopment. |
990 | Section 6. Paragraphs (d) and (f) of subsection (2) of |
991 | section 376.82, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
992 | 376.82 Eligibility criteria and liability protection.-- |
993 | (2) LIABILITY PROTECTION.-- |
994 | (d) The liability protection provided under this section |
995 | shall become effective upon execution of a brownfield site |
996 | rehabilitation agreement and shall remain effective, provided |
997 | the person responsible for brownfield site rehabilitation |
998 | complies with the terms of the site rehabilitation agreement. |
999 | Any statute of limitations that would bar the department from |
1000 | pursuing relief in accordance with its existing authority is |
1001 | tolled from the time the agreement is executed until site |
1002 | rehabilitation is completed or immunity is revoked pursuant to |
1003 | s. 376.80(8)(10). |
1004 | (f) Compliance with the agreement referenced in s. |
1005 | 376.80(5)(i) must be evidenced as set forth in that paragraph by |
1006 | a finding by the local government with jurisdiction over the |
1007 | brownfield area that the terms of the agreement have been met. |
1008 | Section 7. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 376.86, |
1009 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
1010 | 376.86 Brownfield Areas Loan Guarantee Program.-- |
1011 | (1) The Brownfield Areas Loan Guarantee Council is created |
1012 | to review and approve or deny, by a majority vote of its |
1013 | membership, the situations and circumstances for participation |
1014 | in partnerships by agreements with local governments, financial |
1015 | institutions, and others associated with the redevelopment of |
1016 | brownfield areas pursuant to the Brownfields Redevelopment Act |
1017 | for a limited state guaranty of up to 5 years of loan guarantees |
1018 | or loan loss reserves issued pursuant to law. The limited state |
1019 | loan guaranty applies only to 50 percent of the primary lenders |
1020 | loans for redevelopment projects in brownfield areas. If the |
1021 | redevelopment project is for affordable housing, as defined in |
1022 | s. 420.0004(3), in a brownfield area, the limited state loan |
1023 | guaranty applies to 75 percent of the primary lender's loan. If |
1024 | the redevelopment project includes the construction and |
1025 | operation of a new health care facility or a health care |
1026 | provider, as defined in s. 408.032, s. 408.07, or s. 408.7056, |
1027 | on a brownfield site and the applicant has obtained |
1028 | documentation in accordance with s. 376.30781 indicating that |
1029 | the construction of the health care facility or health care |
1030 | provider by the applicant on the brownfield site has received a |
1031 | certificate of occupancy or a license or certificate has been |
1032 | issued for the operation of the health care facility or health |
1033 | care provider, the limited state loan guaranty applies to 75 |
1034 | percent of the primary lender's loan. A limited state guaranty |
1035 | of private loans or a loan loss reserve is authorized for |
1036 | lenders licensed to operate in the state upon a determination by |
1037 | the council that such an arrangement would be in the public |
1038 | interest and the likelihood of the success of the loan is great. |
1039 | (2) The council shall consist of the secretary of the |
1040 | Department of Environmental Protection or the secretary's |
1041 | designee, the secretary of the Department of Community Affairs |
1042 | or the secretary's designee, the State Surgeon General or the |
1043 | State Surgeon General's designee, the Executive Director of the |
1044 | State Board of Administration or the executive director's |
1045 | designee, the Executive Director of the Florida Housing Finance |
1046 | Corporation or the executive director's designee, and the |
1047 | Director of the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade, and |
1048 | Economic Development or the director's designee. The chairperson |
1049 | of the council shall be the Director of the Governor's Office of |
1050 | Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. Staff services for |
1051 | activities of the council shall be provided as needed by the |
1052 | member agencies. |
1053 | Section 8. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law |
1054 | and shall operate retroactively to January 1, 2008. |